Advisers from regional law firm Thrings and accountants Bishop Fleming have helped secure a major national deal in the fast-growing data and artificial intelligence sector.
The acquisition of DataShapa by market-leading Microsoft pure play technology partner Transparity will create a major specialist data practice. 
London-based DataShapa, a Microsoft Gold Certified data strategy and business intelligence practice, was founded in 2016 by Alister Jones.
It provides extensive expertise in data science and business intelligence to help enterprises from all industries reach the full potential of their data, with its team of specialists enabling data-driven strategies within the Microsoft environment for some of the UK’s largest businesses.
Backed by Beech Tree Private Equity, Berkshire-based Transparity is a market leading Microsoft pure play technology partner and specialises in providing consultancy, development and managed services on Azure, Microsoft Security, Microsoft 365 and Dynamics. 
The deal will further enhance Transparity’s data science and business intelligence offering, creating a powerful value-added client proposition.
The corporate team at Thrings was brought in to advise DataShapa through the legal aspects of the sale late last year, using its expertise in technology and private equity, as well as its track record in advising on the sale of SMEs, to successfully complete the deal.
The Bishop Fleming corporate finance team, led by Martyn Fraser and Joe Coghlan, provided corporate finance to the owners of Datashapa.
Thrings partner Simon Hore, pictured above, who led the firm’s team, said: “We are pleased to have supported Alister and his team on the successful sale. 
“The new partnership with Transparity will provide a great springboard to flourish which is also great news for its staff.”
Bishop Fleming corporate finance director Joe Coghlan, pictured right, said: “It has been a pleasure working with Alister and the team at Datashapa on this deal. This is the latest in a series of transactions in this sector we have worked on ”.
DataShapa founder and managing director Alister Jones praised Thrings and Bishop Fleming for their support.
“Thrings’ advice has helped to ensure the process has remained smooth throughout, helping all parties to arrive at a mutually beneficial outcome. The Bishop Fleming team were a pleasure to work with, with their experience and calm and considered approach key to delivering a transaction that achieves all our objectives.”
The corporate team at Thrings – which has seven offices, including in Bristol – is experienced in advising business owners from start-ups to multinational firms on all stages of the business life cycle.
Bishop Fleming, which has the largest of its eight offices in Bristol, has a wealth of knowledge and experience in areas spanning personal tax, business & international tax, corporate finance, business recovery and insolvency, payroll services, forensic and litigation support, grant services, VAT, audit assurance and accounting.
